Magok-dong Dental Clinic_ “Which Category Does It Fall Into: Attrition, Cervical Abrasion, or Erosion?” [2. Types of Tooth Wear]

Hello.

We are Seoul Dia Dental Clinic in Magok-dong, here to calmly share only the dental information you really need, while cutting down on unnecessary worries.

In Part 1, we explained why tooth wear happens, centering on the causes such as teeth grinding, clenching, diet, bite alignment, and brushing habits.

We also mentioned that tooth wear is not simply a natural change that comes with aging, but rather the result of habits repeated every day.

If you have not seen Part 1 yet, why not read the post below first? This will make today’s content much easier to understand.^^(Highly recommended)

Now, today is the next story. The question that many people find most confusing is this:

“Isn’t all tooth wear the same?”

“Why does my front tooth seem worn down, while someone else says the area near the gum is chipped away?”

To put it simply, the types of tooth wear differ depending on the ‘location’ where it wears down and the ‘cause.’ And depending on that difference, whether treatment is needed or whether management alone is enough will also change.

So, let’s go through those differences one by one. Three representative types of tooth wear

1. Attrition

Wear from teeth rubbing against each other

Magok-dong Dental Clinic_ Attrition

Attrition is a type of wear in which the upper and lower teeth repeatedly come into contact and wear down against each other, almost like grinding.

The most common causes are

• teeth grinding

• clenching

• strong bite force

It has these features:

• the edges of the front teeth gradually become flatter

• the chewing surfaces of the molars become flat

• the teeth overall appear shorter

At first, there is often little to no pain, so it is easy to think, “They must have just worn down from use,” and let it pass. But if it progresses, it can lead to sensitivity, tooth cracks, and even discomfort in the temporomandibular joint.

If you have a sleeping habit or an unconscious habit of applying force to the jaw, this is the first type of wear to suspect.

2. Abrasion

Wear that creates a notch at the boundary between the gum and the tooth

Magok-dong Dental Clinic_ Cervical abrasion

Many people look in the mirror and say,

“The area near my gum seems to be worn away.”

“That spot feels especially sensitive.”

This wear is cervical abrasion.

The main causes are often

• toothbrush bristles that are too hard and rough

• brushing side to side with too much force

• incorrect brushing habits

• occlusal stress, which may also act together

It has these features:

• the boundary between the gum and the tooth is worn into a groove-like notch

• only certain teeth are worn locally

• especially sensitive to cold water and wind

In particular, this is the wear most often found in people who say,

“I brush carefully every day, so why are my teeth wearing down?”

Many people feel discomfort more from the sensitivity than from the wear itself.

3. Erosion

Wear in which teeth weaken and wear down due to acid

Magok-dong Dental Clinic_ Tooth erosion

In tooth erosion, the main cause is an acidic environment rather than chewing force.

• carbonated drinks

• coffee, energy drinks

• lemon, vinegar

• stomach acid reflux

When these acidic substances repeatedly come into contact with the teeth, the tooth surface becomes softened, and if you chew or brush in that state, wear progresses quickly.

It has these features:

• the tooth surface becomes thinner and smoother

• the teeth may look translucent

• sudden, sharp sensitivity

It is closer to the feeling that the tooth has been “softened and then worn away,” rather than simply “worn down.”

People who drink coffee or carbonated beverages often, and people with acid reflux, should be especially careful.

Most cases are not just “one thing”

Magok-dong Dental Clinic_ A case where attrition, cervical abrasion, and erosion coexist

In actual clinical settings, combinations such as attrition + cervical abrasion, or attrition + erosion, are much more common than a single type alone.

So, it cannot be concluded simply by saying,

“This is due to teeth grinding.”

“This is due to brushing.”

It is important to first determine which type of wear is currently the main one, how far it has progressed, and whether it is still at a stage where it can be stopped.

To summarize the types of tooth wear, only the essentials

Tooth wear does not appear in just one form.

1. Attrition Caused by teeth grinding and clenching, wear that happens from teeth colliding and wearing down from the top

2. Cervical abrasion Caused by incorrect brushing or occlusal stress, wear that creates a notch along the gum line

3. Erosion Caused by acidic drinks, stomach acid, and similar factors, wear that happens easily after the tooth weakens

Magok-dong Dia Dental Clinic

This is the standard at Seoul Dia Dental Clinic in Magok-dong:

We do not start with “It’s worn down, so let’s treat it.” We first check why it wore down and what stage it is at now.

If it is a stage that does not need treatment right away, we do not make you worry unnecessarily.

We provide only the explanations that are necessary, accurately, and we do not recommend treatment that is not yet needed.

If you happened to look in the mirror and think, “Something seems a little different from before?”

that may be the time to get it checked.

In Part 3, we will very simply organize the symptoms that appear as tooth wear progresses, and explain “Is this a normal sign, or a sign that you should consider treatment?”

So far, we have been Seoul Dia Dental Clinic in Magok-dong, cutting down on unnecessary worries and sharing only the dental information you really need.

[ This post was written in accordance with the Medical Service Act for the purpose of providing correct information about dental surgery and procedures. Infection and side effects may occur after surgery, so you should decide on surgery (procedure) after sufficient consultation with a skilled medical professional. ]

[Magok-dong Seoul Dia Dental Clinic Tooth Wear Series]

1. Causes of tooth wear

2. Types of tooth wear

3. Symptoms of tooth wear

4. Problems if tooth wear is left untreated

5. Treatment for tooth wear